In His Presence...

I can’t tell you how good it feels to be home here in Bachiniva.  It was so wonderful to be with our church family (and our dog) again.  We arrived safely in Bachiniva around 4:00 PM on Wednesday.  Unfortunately there was no power and no water.  Not the best welcome home present, however, it didn’t change our excitement of being here, and, thankfully the Lord turned things back on just in time for church and soup kitchen. Our trip back down went smoothly, other then the part where they wouldn’t allow me to permit the truck.  As an American, you are allowed to have one vehicle under your name. So, Jackie was going to permit the van and I would permit the truck.  Because I didn’t have my actual “temporary residence” card, they would not allow me to get a permit.  We tried for probably 45 minutes, talking, asking, pleading and praying that they might allow that permit to come through.  Without that permit, we would have to drive back to El Paso, drop off the truck, unload everything in the van so that the 5 of us could fit.  And then, at some point, drive back up to El Paso to get the truck, permit it and cross all of our stuff.  This sounded like a long exhausting process that I did not want to do.  Even after calling the immigration office in Chihuahua, who had my card right there, they said it was not possible for me to cross the truck.

I was about to loose the whole “no hay problema” mentality, when someone came up with the idea of Pastor Luis crossing it.  Although, he has a vehicle under his name, they were going to give him a temporary, 3 day permit.  This would allow us to cross both vehicles, drive to Chihuahua to pick up my residence card and then head back up to the border to cancel Luis’ permit and then put it in my name.  Sounds confusing huh?  Welcome to living in Mexico!

No sooner had we arrived in Bachiniva and unpacked, I found myself in the truck again with my cousin Nieves, early Thursday morning, driving to Chihuahua.  We picked up my new visa card, my other cousin Becky and then drove back up to the border.  Thankfully, everything worked out.  I was able to get the truck permitted, I now have my residence card, and God is good.  Because it was so late, we stayed the night in El Paso and then drove back down to Bachiniva Friday morning!

I'm official...

As most of you heard, Pancho went home to be with the Lord a week ago.  Pancho had a long, hard fought battle with cancer, that finally overtook him.  I got a call while driving through Moab, Utah, that Pancho was being rushed to the hospital.  He was not doing good at all and having trouble breathing.  The cancer had come back stronger then before and was taking over his throat and lungs.  The doctors did their best to get a breathing tube in Pancho, but because the tumor was so large, Pancho took his last breath and then slipped into the presence of the Lord.

There is nothing really easy about death.  Although we know that Pancho is worshipping Jesus, cancer free and and no longer suffering, it is still difficult.  I miss my friend Pancho and I wish so badly I could have said goodbye to him.  I’m so thankful that the Monday before we left for the states, I was able to spend one last time with him.  I gave Pancho a ride to the medical clinic in Bachiniva.  It was only a short 10 minutes or so, but I will treasure that last ride we had together.  Over the past year, we’ve taken a lot of drives together, to Cuahtemoc, Chihuahua, hospitals, etc, for treatment.  I learned a lot from that brother and was greatly encouraged of a man that fought the good fight and finished strong.  I was able to hug him and pray with him one last time, that Monday morning, trusting and believing not just for a healing, but for the Lord’s will to be done and Pancho to be strengthened through this.  We were both comforted by the words of Jesus, spoken to Paul in 2 Corinthians...

“And Jesus said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness...” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

On Wednesday, as we led worship, I thought of Pancho.  I thought of his favorite song, “Levanto Mis Manos” and the times he would lift his feeble hands in worshipping his Savior.  Although Pancho wasn’t there on Wednesday to worship with us, he was most definitely worshipping in an even greater way...with the Heavenly hosts bowed before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, crying Santo, Santo, Santo (Holy, Holy, Holy).

Please continue praying for Pancho’s family, especially his wife Sabrina.  She does not know the Lord and is hurting greatly.  Both Kim and I have had a chance to encourage her and will continue to do so, Lord willing.  Sabrina needs Jesus, He is the only one that can fill that hole and void she has now.  She is very thankful and wanted me to let you all know how grateful she is for all the prayers for Pancho as well as financial donations.

Pancho's last meal before his throat surgery...

Pancho and Sabrina...

My friend after his surgery...

Prayer and worship at Pancho's house...

Pancho's baptism...

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Blessed In The States...

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17). It hard to believe that our time here in the states has come to an end.  After 6 weeks of traveling, visiting family and friends, sharing and teaching at churches and lots of meetings, we have begun our trip home.  We left Washington early Wednesday morning and made it safely to Boise.  Thursday, God cleared the roads and skies to allow us to arrive in Utah without any problems.  Friday we headed out to Farmington New Mexico, and then arrived in El Paso on Saturday.  It was a long 4 days, 7 states and 1800 miles of driving, but we made it and everyone did a great job (especially Antu).

Although the past month has flown by, it has been an incredibly rich and blessed time.  Once again God has shown His faithfulness and hand of provision...which causes us to be all the more THANKFUL for who He is and what He continues to do!

Not only were we able to come back up to Washington, to be with our family, friends and home church, but we also had the opportunity to travel to Utah, Oregon and Florida.  As we prepare to open the doors of the children’t home, God has raised up more churches and supporters to come alongside us in prayer, encouragement and financial support.  One of the things I never grow tired of doing, is sharing the story.  The most amazing thing of all, regarding the past year and a half, is that God has been doing it.  All of the answered prayers, provision, donations, open doors, even great trials that we have walked victorious in, all point to the Lord, to whom He is due credit.

We read in Psalm 84:11...”For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

I love the part of that verse that says, “...no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  God wants to provide for and take care of us.  That’s His promise and commitment to us.  Our part, is simply to walk uprightly and place our faith and trust in Him.  Keeping in mind that it might not look like what we think we need...but EVERYTHING that God knows we need.

There were a few things, that I felt we needed, for the ministry down in Bachiniva, that I had been praying on.  One was a van and the other was a new computer.  As we prepare to receive children, we needed another vehicle that could accommodate more then 3 people (our truck), so we began to pray.  My computer, is 7 years old and on its last leg, so we began to pray.  We were looking at the finances and seeing if we could somehow budget both of these, and then the Lord provided.

A family donated a beautiful, comfortable, 2004 Honda Odyssey Mini Van.  And then, our supporting church and friends, from Del Ray Florida, took up a love offering and it was exactly enough to get a new computer.  I wasn’t expecting that at all, but my pastor friend, Daniel, was believing in faith that God would bring the right amount of money....which He did.  Both Jackie and I were completely blown away, “...no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Our beautiful new van...

My good friend, Daniel Williams (Pastor of Redemption Church)

Thank you Redemption church for my new computer...

Some of our supporters in Utah went above and beyond and blessed us and the ministry with “buckets of joy”.  This was an idea that I had, similar to Operation Christmas Child, that could bring supplies and toys to those in need.  Having gone up to the mountains to visit the 5 children, and seeing how much buckets are used, we thought it would be a great idea.  I shared that briefly with our friends in Utah, and they took it from there.  20 buckets were put together to bless those in need and it was a beautiful sight to see.  I am already thinking about and looking forward to next year, and how we might get other churches involved to turn that 20 buckets into 200 buckets.

Another donation came in, that was, perhaps, more meaningful to me, more so then the van and the new macbook pro.  I had to opportunity to teach at Calvary Chapel South, in Kent, for their student ministries.  Having been a youth pastor for so many years, I was eagerly looking forward to it.  After the service, I was talking with one young girl in the back, and she was sharing how the message had spoken to her heart.  She then asked if we took donations, and handed me a crumpled up $5 bill.  She was very specific that this would go to the children’s home and ministry down in Mexico.  I was incredibly touched by that, I think perhaps, being a little overwhelmed by all of the things that God had provided thus far, a van, computer, etc, and now a $5 bill.  I’m assuming if this gal is like the majority of the youth I ministered to, she doesn’t personally have a lot of money.  Yet, in that moment, it was as if she was giving everything she had from her heart, or at least that’s what it felt like to me.  Remember Jesus talked about something similar....

“Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had” (Luke 4:3-4).

That brings us to today, and our final travel day down to Bachiniva.  Both our van and truck are loaded with supplies, buckets, presents, donations, etc.  We are trusting and praying for safe crossing, as we are in need of getting our vehicles permitted, visas, and declaring our goods.  We are very thankful that Pastor Luis and Kim will be meeting us to help us get across.  As always, we trust and believe in the Lord, that He will guide our every step and get us home safely.  Home, yes we are definitely ready to be back down in our lovely little town of Bachiniva!

Our ever growing family...my two brothers (Joey and Jeremy) and their families are missing!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

A Long Overdue Update...

I apologize for taking so long to update you all on what's been happening the past month. Honestly, it has probably been the busiest month since we have been down in Mexico. The Lord continues to stretch us and teach us what it means to FULLY rely upon Him, and His timing and way of doing things. We are actually up in the states and have been for the past 2 weeks.  It's truly been a blessing being up here and spending time with family and friends as well as sharing with churches the new things that are taking place with 'the house of blessing'  There is so much to update you all on and I will do my best to keep it short, sweet and too the point.

Things really began about 2 weeks before our scheduled departure (October 18th) to come back to the states.  We had the plane tickets booked, trip planned out and everything organized, but it seemed as if the Lord was going to change things up.  I had some problems with my visa and was actually grounded in Mexico and could not leave the country.  It took 13 hours of driving, from Bachiniva, to El Paso, Juarez, Chihuahua and back to Bachiniva, multiple appointments with government officials, and OBVIOUSLY the Lord...to work everything out and give me my visa 3 days before we left.

I feel like I am on an uphill roller coaster ride, learning what it means to run and facilitate a children's home in Mexico.  It especially felt that way when we met with the DIF (Mexico's DSHS).  As we prepare to open the orphanage, I wanted to meet with the government and gather any last minute information, tips or help regarding the next step of receiving children. We met with a gentleman for about 2 hours who gave some of the most valuable and helpful information.  It was interesting to learn that that don't use the term 'orphanage' but rather 'children's home' or 'casa hogars'.  I left that meeting very encouraged but a bit overwhelmed.  I was glad that we weren’t to far off track...and very eager to begin implementing some of the regulations and requirements that government has regarding children’s homes.

The final update that I wanted to give, to me, is definitely the most exciting one.  It is a little bit long, but I know it will encourage and excite you about our next step...!

We received a phone call, from a woman (Nena) in the church, regarding 5 children up in the mountains who might be in need of coming to the house of blessing.  Nena's brother passed away 2.5 years ago and the children's mom abandoned the kids, who are now under the care of their grandparents.  One thing led to another and we soon found ourselves heading up to a small village in the mountains about 8.5 hours away.  Its actually only 230 miles or so, but because of how how curvey and unpaved the roads are, it takes much longer.  Obviously the car ride gave room for lots of meditating, praying and wandering what we were about to encounter.

There were moments when I thought we are literally out int he middle of nowhere….and then, as we came down a little hill, we saw the village (named Corarayvo).  I'm not sure what to call it, a town, village or what…nevertheless there wasn't much there.  As we drove into town, there was a fairly large school, full of children laughing, playing basketball and staring at us as we entered.  We passed a number of small little homes, a store, and the only church in town (small little catholic church).  The rest were rolling hills and beautiful mountains, which contained houses and animals here and there.

Nena showed us the house she used to live in, where we met her father, as he was coming down the mountain with 2 donkeys loaded with firewood.  We then headed up to her brothers house (the one that passed away).  This is where the 5 kids and grandparents are currently living.  Nena's mom was making homemade tortillas (the best i've ever had) and heating hot water on the outdoor fire for coffee.  The younger children were at school, the older boy was some where off with friends and the oldest girl, Judith was at home.  She was very shy and didn't say much.  There actually wasn't much talk for the first hour or so with anyone.  We just sat around on tree stumps and buckets inside the home, drinking coffee.  Doesn't seem like the Tarajumara Indians have much to say…or…they didn't know what to do with us being there.  The opportunity then came, to talk with the grandma about the kids.  She shared the struggle its been trying to take care of a 8,9,12,13 and 15 year old, being 70 years old.

Later that afternoon the kids came home from school and things seemed to liven up a little bit.  And for the rest of the day, we played, laughed, talked and ate...it was amazing.  There is no power in the town yet and limited drinking water.  There were too little ponds that the kids loved swimming in and they are also used for washing clothes, water for cooking, cleaning and bathing.  We had brought up a bunch of toiletries and it was as if they had never seen nor used soap or shampoo before.  The girls went and bathed in one pond while we went with the younger boys to the other.  It was pretty powerful seeing Pastor Luis help them and teach them how to wash their hair.

Passing out toiletries...

Teaching Judith and Erasmo how to floss your teeth...

Between the beauty of the mountains, sunset, children laughing and playing as well as seeing the endless possibilities of ministering to the natives here, it was overwhelming.  I kept having to get away for a few minutes to pray, thank the Lord, fight back tears, and compose myself.  Little little getaways caught the attention of the kids and they began laughing and thought it was so strange that I would go down by the 'arroyo' (pond) and drink coffee by myself.

Erasmo, the 13 year old son, had come home sometime that night and was there in the morning.  Like the others, he was very standoffish at first, but quickly warmed up, especially to Nieves.  Nieves was definitely in his element, being a youth pastor and relating to this young man.  I'm so glad that he was there and working for the orphanage.

After breakfast we sat with the grandparents, Nena's other brother and the two older children, Judith and Erasmo.  We shared why we were there and the vision and desire behind the orphanage. The kids remained silent the entire time.  The grandparents and uncle are in full agreement that their is no hope or future for the two of them here in this little village.  The possibility of being cared for, taught and trade, maybe going to school…was very excited and they should go for it

There were defitinly mixed emotions especially from the grandma.  How hard it would be to realize that your grandchildren whom you have been caring for the past 2 1/2 years  could have a better future, but that would require you letting them go.  We had explained everything, and I felt like it was time to go and not push anymore.  It seemed to be a little awkward after that, but before we piled back in the van…the kids were laughing and smiling again.  We waved good by, gave hugs and began the trek home.

That was probably one of the biggest life changing experiences that I am still trying to process.  The Lord revealed to me a glimpse of what He has in store….and it is so much bigger then what I thought.  It is all starting to make sense.  Why such a big facility, why so much land, where are we going to get children, how are we going to impact Mexico for Christ.  It seemed like the Lord was saying…its starts right here with this little village.  Basically there are a 100 families whom most of them have never heard the pure unadulterated gospel message.  This village needs the touch of Jesus.  This village needs missionaries that will come and dedicate their lives to sharing the gospel, teaching, training, ministering etc.  Nieves Luis and I immediately thought of Erasmo.  How amazing it would be, and our prayer…that after years at Casa De Bendicion, that he would get saved, discipled and then sent…back to his home town…to be a missionary.

"Look among the nations and watch, be utterly astounded!  For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you" (Hab 1:5).

We have 3 more weeks left here in the states, to continue teaching and sharing at churches, before we head back down to Mexico.   Upon our return, it is our heartfelt prayer and deepest desire to head back up to the mountains and bring Judith, Erasmo, Marianna, Carolina and Luis back to Casa de Bendicion and begin to minister the love and care of Jesus to them.  We are trusting that this is an open door from the Lord and that He will guide our every step through it!

Please join us in prayer as we trust Him for words to share at churches, spend final moments with family and friends, but most importantly, for the children up in the mountains...that God's hand will be upon them and His will would be done.  Regardless of what happens, we are SO EXCITED to finally be opening the doors to Casa de Bendicion and begin caring for children!

Judith, age 15...

Erasmo, age 13...

Marianna, age 12...

Carolina, age 9...

Luis, age 9...